Speaking to those directly involved in the war, di Giovanni relays the personal stories of rebel fighters thrown in jail at the least provocation; of children and families forced to watch loved ones taken and killed by regime forces with dubious justifications; and the stories of the elite, holding pool parties in Damascus hotels, trying to deny the human consequences of the nearby shelling. Delivered with passion, fearlessness and sensitivity, The Morning They Came for Us is an unflinching account of a nation on the brink of disintegration, charting an apocalyptic but at times tender story of life in a jihadist war – and an unforgettable testament to human resilience in the face of devastating, unimaginable horrors.

2 thoughts on “Janine di Giovanni: What I saw in the war”

It’s a lesser part of the human tragedy of Syria’s war: though unfortunately a somewhat-determinative part: how politicians view the horrific events there.

I find it tellingly ill-fated for the prospect that America will act in this situation with any mercy or justice, that Donald Trump sole comment about Syria has been that Russia and President Assad are “fighting ISIS.”

We all know Trump lies. We all know Trump BELIEVES lies. What is profoundly alarming in Syria’s human disaster is that Trump believes, and tells, and will no doubt act on, Russia’s lies and Assad’s lies.